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Tuesday 26 August 2014

I have been to ... Eynsford Castle

On the same day that we visited Lullingstone Roman Villa, Sue and I also visited the nearby Eynsford Castle.

The castle was built in period 1085 to 1088 from local squared flint, and was occupied until the fourteenth century, when is was ransacked and subsequently left to decay. It does not appear to have undergone any major re-building during its occupation, and its layout remained unchanged.

The walls are near four feet thick when built were approximately forty feet in height. The walls follow a rather irregular plan (almost the shape of squashed Norman kite-shaped shield) ...

Please click on the image to enlarge it.
... and the area within is approximately three quarters of an acre. In the centre of the castle is the remains of a hall. The castle was originally surrounded by a wet moat, which was probably filled from the nearby River Darent.

The entrance to Eynsford Castle



The walls of the Castle








The three large holes in the wall were the location of the garderobes (i.e. the latrines).



The remains of the Castle's Hall





The Eynsford Castle site is currently maintained by English Heritage.

2 comments:

  1. Fascinating ruin. It looks so crude compared to later fortresses with their towers and crenalations. A stone version of a palisaded motte and bailey I suppose.

    Presumably there would have been wooden walkways and hordings for defenders?

    Thanks for sharing this.

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  2. Ross Mac,

    It is a very early design, and although it was remodelled during its active life, it was never enlarged.

    I think that you are right about the walkways. There is evidence of holes in the walls for support beams.

    All the best,

    Bob

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